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Gender, competitiveness and study choices in high school - evidence from Switzerland

Author

Listed:
  • Thomas Buser

    (University of Amsterdam)

  • Noemi Peter

    (University of Groningen)

  • Stefan C. Wolter

    (University of Bern)

Abstract

Willingness to compete has been found to predict individual and gender differences in educational choices and labor market outcomes. We provide further evidence for this relationship by linking Swiss students' Baccalaureate school (high school) specialization choices to an experimental measure of willingness to compete. Boys are more likely to specialize in math in Baccalaureate school. In line with previous findings, competitive students are more likely to choose a math specialization. Boys are more likely to opt for competition than girls and this gender difference in competitiveness could partially explain why girls are less likely to choose a math-intensive specialization.
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Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Buser & Noemi Peter & Stefan C. Wolter, 2018. "Gender, competitiveness and study choices in high school - evidence from Switzerland," Economics of Education Working Paper Series 0147, University of Zurich, Department of Business Administration (IBW).
    • Handle: RePEc:iso:educat:0147
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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